Mahendra Singh Dhoni: How to Live a Stress-Free Life
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the 43-year-old former India wicketkeeper-batter, has become a life coach, sharing his secrets for achieving a stress-free existence. In a recent event in Mumbai, Dhoni, considered one of the greatest leaders in the sport, offered some valuable advice to fans and followers.
Keep Life Simple
According to Dhoni, the key to a stress-free life is to "keep life simple. Be honest to yourself, have gratitude towards people for whatever they have been doing for you. Don’t always think, ‘this is my birthright’ and ask for more." He emphasized the importance of having a sense of gratitude and respect towards others, especially the elderly, and love for the younger generation.
The Power of Forgiveness
Dhoni stressed the need to have a forgiving attitude, which he believes is in short supply today. "Even if you’re not in a comfortable position, even if it’s tough to do, have the power to forgive. That is one thing that not many of us have," he said. He shared his own experience of never responding to personal attacks, including from former teammates and critics, and instead chose to focus on moving forward.
Don’t Let Pressure Get to You
Dhoni also advised on how to manage the pressure of day-to-day life. "We all feel the pressure. We always say the grass is greener on the other side. We always feel that his or her life is better, but what is important is how you manage that stress, how prepared you are," he said. He recommended being careless towards a few things, saying, "I keep it very simple. Growing up, we were told ‘you cannot be careless’. But I feel in today’s environment, it is important to be a bit careless because you can’t worry about each and everything that is happening around you."
Don’t Let Perceptions Dictate Your Life
Dhoni also warned against getting caught up in others’ perceptions, saying, "If you get carried away with what others are saying, what others are feeling, then that important thing of what needs to be done, often you are not really giving utmost attention to that." He emphasized the importance of not letting every opinion or criticism dictate one’s life, saying, "I am a bit careless in life. I don’t give everything my 100 per cent attention because I feel this is important, (or) that’s not important."
The Ambition of "A Little More" (Thoda Aur)
Dhoni even launched his app, "DHONI" powered by Single.id, which, ironically, encourages people to ask for "a little more" (Thoda Aur). However, he clarified that this does not mean always striving for more, but rather having gratitude, saying thank you, respecting the elders, and loving the younger ones.
In conclusion, Dhoni’s advice can be summarized as: have gratitude, be forgiving, don’t let pressure get to you, be careful (but not too careful), and don’t let others’ opinions dictate your life. By following these principles, one can live a stress-free and fulfilling life.
